Hot Springs Youth Soccer Association
Official U8 & 10 Laws
“FIFA –Laws of the Game and rule modifications by US Youth Soccer and SDSSA
will be the official playing rules. This includes the Player Development Initiatives
(see Law 9 below).
Hot Springs Youth Soccer Association will use these modifications to the FIFA Laws
of the Game.
FIFA Laws of the Game can be found at www.ussoccer.com/referees.
Law 1:
The Levi McDill Memorial Festival is operated under festival play rules.
No match scores will be published by the host association and no championships
will be awarded.
Law 2:
The Field of Play: Conform to US Youth Soccer’s Rules for Small Sided Games
Law 3:
The Ball: U10: Size four (4). U8: Size three (3).
Law 4:
The Number of Players:
U10: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than seven
players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team
consists of fewer than five players.
U8: A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than four players,
with no goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than three
players. Substitutions: At any stoppage and unlimited.
Teams that are coed will play in the boy’s division.
Law 5
The Players’ Equipment: Non uniform clothing is allowed based on weather
conditions, but uniforms must still distinguish teams.
In the event of conflicting uniform colors, the Home team will be required to switch to
their secondary uniforms.
Law 6
The Referee: All rule infringements shall be briefly explained to the offending player.
Although the host association will not be publishing match scores the referees will
be retaining scores for all matches along with documentation of any rule
infringements that may occur.
The host association will retain the referee scorecards and provide any details
included to the South Dakota State Soccer Association upon request.
The Assistant Referees: Will not be used for these U10 and U8 matches.
Law 7
Time:
Time will be kept by the referee, however, no time will be added beyond the normal
duration of the match.
.
Law 8
The Duration of the Match:
U10: The match will be divided into two (2) equal halves of twenty-five (25) minutes
each. There shall be a halftime interval of five (5) minutes.
U8: The match will be divided into four (4) equal quarters of ten (10) minutes each.
First and third quarters will be divided by a two (2) minute break. There shall be a
halftime.
Law 9
The Start and Restart of Play:
U10: The opponents of the team taking the kickoff must be at least eight (8) yards
from the ball until it is in play.
U8: The opponents of the team taking the kickoff must be at least four (4) yards from
the ball until it is in play.
Law 10
The Ball In and Out of Play: Conform to FIFA.
Law 11
The Method of Scoring: Conform to FIFA.
Law 12
Offside:
U10: Conform to FIFA
U8: None.
Law 13
Fouls and Misconduct:
U10: Conform to FIFA.
U8: All penalties result in a direct free kick for the opposing team.
Law 14
Free Kicks:
U10: All opponents must be at least eight (8) yards from the ball.
U8: All opponents must be at least four (4) yards from the ball.
Law 15
The Penalty Kick: Conform to FIFA.
Law 16
The Throw-In: Conform to FIFA.
Law 17
The Goal Kick:
U10: The opponents of the team taking the kickoff must be behind the ‘Build-out
Line’ until the ball is in play from the goal keeper to their teammate. (The Build-out
Line will be halfway between the midfield line and the edge of the penalty area.)
U8: The opponents of the team taking the kickoff must be behind the midfield line
(which will sever as the “Build-Out Line” for U8) until the ball is in play from the goal
keeper to their teammate
Law 18
The Corner Kick:
U10: Opponents must remain at least eight (8) yards from the ball until it is in play.
U8: Opponents must remain at least four (4) yards from the ball until it is in play.
Law 19
Player Safety:
Heading: This tournament will follow the U.S. Soccer Heading and Concussion
Protocols. Intentional heading will result in play being blown dead and the opposing
team being awarded an indirect free kick from the spot of the infraction.
Law 20
Inclement Weather:
The event of inclement weather may possibly lead to a suspension in play for the
safety of the players. The decision to suspend play due to inclement weather will be
that of the Head Field Marshal and/or Tournament Director.
All decision of weather related match suspension and match resumption will be
published on the Hot Springs Youth Soccer Association Facebook page. If the
suspension of play occurs during an ongoing match, the score as of the suspension
of play will be considered the final score and that match will not be rescheduled. If a
match that has not begun is suspended due to weather the two opposing coaches
will have the option to make up that scheduled match the following day at the same
time of day as the original match was scheduled. If either of the coaches choose not
to play a make-up match or if inclement weather also suspends play the next day
the match will be considered null and void.